Parse this! - 06/20/06 01:57 PM
Re: Parse this! - 06/20/06 02:52 PM
Anna: This was a real puzzler to an old guy on the verge of senility as my first reaction was to assume that while she was having the baby, the couple banned incoming telephone calls and thus it should have been "bans"
But then it slowly dawned that "ban calls" is an adjective and the headline means that there were calls for the couple to be banned from the country
This is a very important distinction and everyone should be immediately apprised
But then it slowly dawned that "ban calls" is an adjective and the headline means that there were calls for the couple to be banned from the country
This is a very important distinction and everyone should be immediately apprised
Re: Parse this! - 06/20/06 06:06 PM
Perhaps it was: ANGELINA JOLIE, IN NAMIBIA BAN, CALLS.
An actress shunned by a particular African country went missing for a while and checked in over the telephone.
An actress shunned by a particular African country went missing for a while and checked in over the telephone.
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 04:24 AM
It took a while, but I imagine there is a film or TV programme called Angelina Jolie in Namibia, that various people would like to be banned.
Although not particularly interested in Ms. Jolie's holiday snaps, and I must admit I haven't seen them, I don't see why they should be banned.
Although not particularly interested in Ms. Jolie's holiday snaps, and I must admit I haven't seen them, I don't see why they should be banned.
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 09:29 AM
The article calls for a ban on Angelina Jolie's presence in Namibia. To parse the line we have to look at it thusly:
Code:
Code:
(Angelina Jolie in Namibia) (ban) (calls)
adv phrase modifiying => nom. adj noun
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 11:12 AM
Poor Angelina. If Namibia doesn't want her, she can always come live at my house.
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 03:16 PM
How about:
Angelina-Jolie-in-Namibia-ban calls
Even having read the article, I can't wrap my mind around this headline - anyone else care to explain? (Sorry, Faldage, I didn't get your explanation
)
Angelina-Jolie-in-Namibia-ban calls
Even having read the article, I can't wrap my mind around this headline - anyone else care to explain? (Sorry, Faldage, I didn't get your explanation
)
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 04:42 PM
Quote:
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt should be banned from Namibia, say charity campaigners.
a very poorly written hed.
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 06:01 PM
Quote:
Poor Angelina. If Namibia doesn't want her, she can always come live at my house.
Oooo, you're gonna be in sooo much trouble with Mrs R. for that one.
Re: partes orationis - 06/21/06 06:52 PM
I thought the purpose of headlines was to draw the reader in. In that case, ambiguous headlines work twice as hard.
Re: Parse this! - 06/21/06 11:54 PM
Quote:
(Sorry, Faldage, I didn't get your explanation
I was afraid it wasn't all that clear.
How about Calls were made to declare a ban on Angelina Jolie's presence in Namibia.
Re: Parse this! - 06/22/06 11:20 AM
that's it.
Re: Parse this! - 06/22/06 12:38 PM
Ah. Then my hyphened version really wasn't far off. Thanks! Doesn't help that both ban and calls can be either noun or verb. 
Re: Parse this! - 06/22/06 07:45 PM
Nah-ah... y'all got it really really wrong... these are instructions from the Namibian Secret Service to all telecommunications officers:
"Angelina Jolie in Namibia; ban calls!"
... which was then reported by the media:
"Angelina Jolie in; Namibia ban calls"
"Angelina Jolie in Namibia; ban calls!"
... which was then reported by the media:
"Angelina Jolie in; Namibia ban calls"
Re: Parse this! - 07/31/06 12:28 AM
No, no, no: it's all about the underarm deodorant brand Ban, and its maker trying to get Jolie to appear in an ad campaign.
Angelin Jolie in Namibia; Ban calls.
People get really sweaty in those African countries.
Angelin Jolie in Namibia; Ban calls.
People get really sweaty in those African countries.